Many writers have shared their thoughts with the public:

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you." - Beatrix Potter

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." - Anaïs Nin

"Sharing your writing, being enlarged by others' writing, is what makes you feel famous." - Gretchen Bernabei

"Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth." - Edna Ferber

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Ben Franklin

"One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones to form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment." - Hart Crane

"There are three rules for writing. Unfortunately, no one can agree what they are." - W. Somerset Maugham

The Best of Times Short Story Competition

Spring 2023 results

Note: stories are available for reading only where the authors have given permission.

First Place ($278)

Wendy Wardell, WA: The Archibald Surprise

Second Place ($69)

Raymond Scott, VIC: Taking the Strain

Third Place ($23)

Kath Hastings, QLD: The Red Shoes

Highly Commended

Sanna Breytberg, VIC: Woolworths Noir

Annaleise Byrd, QLD: Revenge of the Bush Turkey

Linda King, NSW: A Love/Hate Relationship With Mrs Blobby

Commended

Scott Hoffman, VIC: Dark Horse

Joanne Macias, NSW: Sole Adventure

Maeve McGoohan, VIC: Thriving - A First Day of School

Stephen Wallace, NSW: The Sex Thriller Director - A True Story


There were 48 short stories in the competition, from 43 entrants.